The travel media company Lonely Planet has published its book Best in Travel 2018, which makes recommendations on timely and trending trips we can all think about taking in the year ahead. Most are direct routes from the UAE.

A gondola in the Phoenix Park ski area near Pyeongchang, South Korea. Ski Safari

It also cites the new Seoullo 7017, “a new high-line park with cafes, bars and libraries along a disused elevated highway,” as a reason to spend time in the capital Seoul. Portugal (Emirates flies direct to Lisbon) is also worth a visit because of “a spate of artfully designed museums” and the development of the country’s food scene (seven new restaurants received Michelin stars in 2017).

Last but not least, China, which has just announced visa-free travel for UAE nationals and has relaxed its visa policy for those on stopovers in the country, is also recommended because of the opening of several new high-speed rail tracks, the opening of the Shanghai Tower, with the world’s highest observation deck, and the opening of the Design Society in Shenzen. There are now direct Etihad and Emirates routes into various Chinese cities, with a flying time from seven hours.